{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Decriminalization in Rhode Island","description":"For decades, Rhode Island effectively decriminalized indoor, consensual sex work\u2014and the sky didn\u2019t fall. It got safer. Kaytlin traces the legal fight, the raids, and the politics, then digs into new evidence: a ~40% drop in gonorrhea among women and ~30% fewer reported rapes during the decrim window. With voices from attorney Michael Kiselica, ACLU\u2019s Steven Brown, COYOTE RI\u2019s Bella Robinson, and economist Manisha Shah, this episode shows what happens when you stop arresting adults for consensual sex. Guests: Michael Kiselica (attorney) on litigating \u201cpublic\u201d vs. private and the 2003 decision. Steven Brown (ACLU RI) on the 1976 COYOTE suit and 1980 revisions. Bella Robinson (COYOTE RI) on lived experience, raids, and organizing. Prof. Manisha Shah (UCLA Luskin) on the natural experiment and causal impacts. Prof. Aya Gruber (USC Gould) on panic, racism, and \u201cneo-abolitionist\u201d coalitions. Key findings discussed: ~40% decrease in gonorrhea; ~30% decrease in reported rapes during RI\u2019s decrim period. Policy context: 2009 recriminalization + punitive add-ons (HIV testing mandates, special fines); recent partial rollbacks and limited immunity reforms. Big idea: Decriminalization increases negotiating power, enables cooperation with police, and reduces harm. \u201cEnd-demand\u201d shifts risk onto workers. ","author_name":"The Oldest Profession Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/oldprosonline.org\/the-oldest-profession-podcast\/","html":"